The Historical Marker erected by Josehine County Historical Society at Golden, Oregon
gives a very brief account of the town's history. It reads:
"GOLDEN: Established in 1890, this mining town was unique in Western Annals in that it had two chuches
and no saloons. The miners went to Placer on Grave Creek for 'refreshments'.
Rev. William Ruble, leader of a group commonly known as "Campbellites" built the church in 1892. He
was ordained and the church simultaneously dedicated by county Judge Stephen Jewell. Shortly afterward
it became the Free Methodist Church. Another group led by Rev. Mark Davis used the schoolhouse for
their services. Both ministers worked local mining claims.
Placer activity on Coyote Creek began in the 1850's. Abandoning these claims during the Idaho Gold Rush of
1860, the men returned to find them being worked by about five hundred Chinese for ten cents a day plus rice.
The Chinese contractor yielded possession.
A two and one-half mile pipeline supplied water for the 'giants' (hydraulic nozzles) resulting in the recovery
of one and one-half million dollars (in gold) in the next few years.
The Josephine County School Superintendent, Lincoln Savage, traveled by train from Grants Pass to Wolf
Creek, rode his bicycle to Golden, and continued to the Greenback Mine by Tramway to visit the schools.
Wilma Gilkey and Edith Allen were among the early teachers. As late as 1906, there were still thirty-six
children in this school."
